TV Review: 'One Day at a Time' Returns in Glorious Fashion

Norman Lear has been given a second life in modern pop culture. It's unusual for showrunners to have a run that stretches across decades, but Lear is far from the usual. While Lear's second life has continued into the social media world, where the outspoken TV producer has gained a considerable following, his true triumph has been "One Day at a Time" on Netflix. The series "One Day at a Time" follows a Cuban-American family living in Echo Park. The series is defined by its strong writing, confrontation of social issues, and great comedic performances. The second season kicks off in high gear and continues to make the show one of most underrated series on television.

Once again, the greatness of the show starts with its writing. While the first season confronted some important social issues, the second season dives into the post-Trump world. One of the benefits of the Netflix model is not having to worry about commercial breaks is that scenes can draw out longer and pack more emotion. Showrunners Gloria Calderon Kellett and Mike Royce expertly weave great stories for their characters. They intuitively understand what makes these characters special, and they bring a real authenticity to these characters. Lear has trusted the right people with this show, and the series benefits from adapting his trademarks to this comedy.

The performances are excellent across the board again. The season juggles issues regarding Lydia (Rita Moreno) and Schneider (Todd Grinnell) as they get their citizenship. Moreno has some incredibly complex and nuanced moments this season, again showcasing how extremely talented she is. Grinnell will literally make you smile every time he's on screen, and guarantees to make you laugh every time he walks into the scene. While on their citizenship journey, each gets strong side plots to that add levels to their characters.

Meanwhile, Penelope (Justina Machado) and Elena (Isabella Gomez) find themselves in new relationships. Machado is the engine that makes this show go and is one of the best comedic performers on television today. She also gets so many genuine moments where she can really pull the heartstrings of audiences. Her ability to internalize fear, anger, and emotion showcases why Machado is on the shortlist of best actresses in comedy series today. Gomez also takes a big step forward the season, becoming independently funny from the other characters. Gomez is served by strong writing this season as she explores her sexuality and her new identity in the world.

Alex (Marcel Ruiz) continues to grow up, dealing with teenage issues and racism at school. Ruiz is very funny and continues to be an important piece of this show. The new season also adds Ed Quinn and Sheridan Pierce as recurring characters that each add layers to our existing characters. Quinn, in particular, takes advantage of his screen time with Machado, and the two have excellent chemistry. Last but not least, Dr. Berkowitz (Stephen Tobolowsky) continues to be an excellent comedic presence in limited use.

Overall, the season is another excellent entry in this show. The show works as an extremely funny traditional sitcom. However, "One Day at a Time" has a heartbeat and emotional depth that makes it one of the best series on television. "One Day at a Time" remains one of the funniest comedies on television, and Netflix needs to double down on this show and renew it for several seasons. After all, you don't get lucky with shows of this caliber. I'm sure Netflix realizes this too.

What did you think of Season 2 of "One Day a Time?" Let us know in the comments below! 

"One Day at a Time" Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

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